Conveyor system

ABSTRACT

Conveyor systems and assemblies for use in conveyor systems are provided. In some embodiments, a conveyor system comprises a mechanical chain and a chain adjustment assembly. In other embodiments, a conveyor system comprises a panel mount assembly, and in still other embodiments, a conveyor system comprises a support structure and a leveling assembly. In yet other embodiments, a conveyor system comprises a conveyor track assembly and a conveyor top protection assembly. Any embodiment of the conveyor system may also comprise a blocking bar configured to be positioned under a lower conveyor track assembly and/or a cap positioned between an end of a conveyor track assembly and a sprocket. Further, a cover assembly for a conveyor system may comprise a shield positioned over a sprocket assembly and/or an idler assembly of the conveyor system. A guard for positioning at an end of the conveyor system also may be provided.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional ApplicationSer. No. 62/764,903, filed on Aug. 16, 2018, which is incorporatedherein in its entirety by reference thereto.

FIELD

The present subject matter generally involves conveyor assemblies andsystems. More particularly, the present subject matter is directed to aconveyor system comprising features for maintaining or increasingperformance of the conveyor system, increasing safety of users of theconveyor system, facilitating cleaning of the conveyor system, and/ormaintaining or increasing the cleanliness of the conveyor system.

BACKGROUND

Mechanical chain profiles are utilized in a variety of manufacturingprocesses to move goods or products throughout a production environment.Typical chain assembly systems utilize a wear track profile to provide achannel for a mechanical chain link to traverse. Generally, the weartrack profiles are secured to a fixed structure utilizing various typesof mechanical fasteners such as of screws and bolts. Often, the weartrack profiles must be removed from their respective fixed location forpreventative maintenance purposes and sanitation purposes. For example,in the poultry industry, when mechanical chains are used to conveyproducts in a production environment, it is imperative for sanitationpurposes that the mechanical chains and wear track profiles can easilybe cleaned to comply with various government health and safetyregulations. However, when the wear track profile is secured usingscrews or bolts, the process time to properly clean the conveyorassembly and mechanical links can be lengthy. This can result in theproduction line being shut down for an extended period of time, whichnegatively impacts the production output of the manufacturing facility.

Further, typical conveyor assemblies have shortcomings with respect tocleanliness and safety. In addition, the mechanical chain may becomeloose or otherwise out of alignment over time, which can impede theperformance of a conveyor assembly. Moreover, conveyor assemblies can bedifficult to adjust such that the conveyor (and/or other components ofthe assembly) is level.

Accordingly, a need exists for improved conveyor assemblies that mayovercome one or more disadvantages of existing systems.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in thefollowing description, or may be obvious from the description, or may belearned through practice of the invention. For instance, an improvedconveyor system may comprise a chain adjustment assembly for adjustingthe tension of the mechanical chain. As another example, an improvedsystem may comprise a panel mounting assembly for mounting one or morepanels below a conveyor track assembly to improve the safety andcleanliness of the system. Further, an improved system may comprise aleveling assembly for leveling the system that is easier to manufacture,adjust, and keep clean. Still further, an improved system may comprise aconveyor top protection assembly for blocking areas that are undesirableto leave open. What is more, an improved system may comprise one or moreblocking bars and/or caps to prevent inadvertent contact with the systemthat could be dangerous and/or to improve the cleanliness of the system.

In one aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a coverassembly for a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a drive endand a return end, a sprocket assembly positioned at the drive end fordriving a mechanical chain of the conveyor system, and an idler assemblypositioned at the return end. The cover assembly comprises a shieldpositioned over at least one of the sprocket assembly and the idlerassembly. The shield is attached to a stationary component of theconveyor system.

In another aspect, the present subject matter is directed to a conveyorsystem. The conveyor system comprises a mechanical chain, a drive endand a sprocket assembly positioned at the drive end for driving themechanical chain, a return end and an idler assembly positioned at thereturn end, and a guard positioned adjacent at least one of the driveend and the return end. The guard includes a first guard and a secondguard, the first guard and the second guard defining a gap therebetween.The mechanical chain is disposed between the first guard and the secondguard such that the first guard is positioned on a first side of themechanical chain and the second guard is positioned on a second side ofthe mechanical chain.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdescription and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which areincorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrateembodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serveto explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present subject matter, includingthe best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, isset forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appendedfigures, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conveyor system according to anexemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2A is a cross section view of a conveyor track section according toan exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, comprising a baseplate, a wear track profile, a plurality of securing members having a Zshape, and a plurality of placement pins.

FIG. 2B is a cross section view of a conveyor track section according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, comprising abase plate, a wear track profile, a plurality of securing members havinga C shape, and a plurality of placement pins.

FIG. 2C is a cross section view of a conveyor track section according toanother exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter, comprising abase plate, a wear track profile, a plurality of securing members havingan L shape, and a plurality of placement pins.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the base plate of FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the wear track profile of FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C.

FIG. 5A is a side perspective view of a securing member of the pluralityof Z shape securing members of FIG. 2A, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 5B is a side perspective view of a securing member of the pluralityof C shape securing members of FIG. 2B, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 5C is a side perspective view of a securing member of the pluralityof L shape securing members of FIG. 2C, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the conveyor track section ofFIG. 2A.

FIG. 7 is a top view of the conveyor track section of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a quick release tool used to detach and installa securing member with respect to a conveyor track section according toan exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 9 is a side view of a combination of conveyor track sectionsaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 10 is a side view of a portion of a chain adjustment assembly at areturn or idler end of a conveyor system according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 11 is a close up side view of a portion of the chain adjustmentassembly of FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 is a schematic end view of a ram of the chain adjustmentassembly of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a perspective side view of a housing and the ram of the chainadjustment assembly of FIG. 10.

FIG. 14 is a schematic end view of the housing of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a perspective end view of a portion of the chain adjustmentassembly of FIG. 10, showing a linear drive member and the housing ofthe chain adjustment assembly.

FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16C provide schematic views of a shuttle or nut, ajam nut, and the linear drive member or leadscrew of the chainadjustment assembly of FIG. 10.

FIG. 17 is a schematic end view of a ram plate of the chain adjustmentassembly of FIG. 10.

FIG. 18 is a schematic side view of a spacer of the chain adjustmentassembly of FIG. 10.

FIG. 19 is a perspective end view of the chain adjustment assembly ofFIG. 10, showing the idler sprocket secured to the chain adjustmentassembly.

FIG. 20 is a schematic side view of a bearing plate of the chainadjustment assembly of FIG. 10.

FIG. 21 is a schematic side view of a panel mount assembly according toan exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 22 is a rear view of an attachment block of the panel mountassembly of FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a front view of the panel mount assembly of FIG. 21 in asecured position.

FIG. 24 is a front view of the panel mount assembly of FIG. 21 in amounting position, with a panel attached to the panel mount assembly.

FIG. 25 is a top, rear view of the panel mount assembly of FIG. 21 inthe mounting position, with a panel attached to the panel mountassembly.

FIG. 26 is a front view of the panel mount assembly of FIG. 21 in thesecured position, with a panel attached to the panel mount assembly.

FIG. 27A provides a schematic side view and FIG. 27B provides aperspective side view of a support member of the panel mount assembly ofFIG. 21 according to other exemplary embodiments of the present subjectmatter.

FIGS. 28A and 28B provide side perspective and close up views of a pivotholder and one end of a support member of the panel mount assembly ofFIG. 21 according to various embodiments of the present subject matter.

FIGS. 29A and 29B provide top, close up views of the pivot holders andend of the support members of FIGS. 28A and 28B.

FIG. 30 is a side perspective, close up view of a support rest of thepanel mount assembly of FIG. 21.

FIG. 31 is a schematic view of the support rest of FIG. 31.

FIG. 32 is a schematic view of a plurality of leveling assembliesattached to a conveyor system according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present subject matter.

FIG. 33 is a schematic view of a leveling assembly according to anexemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 34 is a front view of a leveling assembly according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 35 is a side view of the leveling assembly of FIG. 34.

FIG. 36 is a rear view of the leveling assembly of FIG. 34.

FIG. 37 is a close up view of an exposed portion of a leveling screw ofthe leveling assembly of FIG. 34.

FIG. 38 is a top view of a sealing nut and leveling pad of the levelingassembly of FIG. 34.

FIG. 39 is a perspective view of a portion of a conveyor system having aconveyor top protection assembly according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present subject matter, with panels of the conveyor top protectionassembly in a stored or hung up position on a hanger structure.

FIG. 40 is a schematic view of a hanger structure of the conveyor topprotection assembly of FIG. 39 according to another exemplary embodimentof the present subject matter.

FIG. 41 is a side view of the conveyor system of FIG. 39 with the panelsin a deployed position.

FIG. 42 is an end view of the conveyor system of FIG. 39 with the panelsin the deployed position.

FIG. 43 is a perspective view of a hanger structure of a conveyor systemhaving a wear track profile and a panel hanging thereon.

FIGS. 44 and 45 provide end views of a portion of the conveyor system ofFIG. 39, with FIG. 44 showing a blocking bar rotated into position undera mechanical chain of the conveyor system and FIG. 45 showing theblocking bar rotated away from the mechanical chain, according to anexemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIGS. 46 and 47 are side perspective views of a portion of the conveyorsystem of FIG. 39, showing a cap on an end portion of a conveyor trackassembly of the conveyor system, according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe present subject matter.

FIG. 48 is a side, schematic view of an end of the conveyor systemhaving a shield positioned over a rotating assembly, such as thesprocket assembly or idler assembly, and a guard positioned at the endof the conveyor system between the shield and the mechanical chain ofthe conveyor system.

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of a portion of the conveyor system ofFIG. 48, illustrating a portion of the shield and a top or upper portionof the guard.

FIG. 50 is an end perspective view of a portion of the conveyor systemof FIG. 48, illustrating the shield and the guard relative to oneanother and to the mechanical chain of the conveyor system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to present embodiments of theinvention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. The detailed description uses numerical andletter designations to refer to features in the drawings. Like orsimilar designations in the drawings and description have been used torefer to like or similar parts of the invention. As used herein, termssuch as “first,” “second,” and “third” may be used interchangeably todistinguish one component from another and are not intended to signifylocation or importance of the individual components.

Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, notlimitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made toembodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope orspirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as partof one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a stillfurther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present inventioncovers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a portion of a conveyor system 100according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. Inthe illustrated embodiment, two mechanical chains 110 form a conveyor toconvey thereon items such as, e.g., empty or loaded boxes or the like.Each mechanical chain 110 is formed from a plurality of links 112 onwhich the items to be conveyed are placed. As shown in FIG. 1, the twomechanical chains 110 are positioned equidistant from each otherthroughout the conveyor system 100. As will be readily understood, one,two, or more than two chains may be used to form a conveyor to conveyitems thereon. Further, the conveyor system 100 comprises at least oneconveyor track section 200. Each conveyor track section 200 includes awear track profile 250 in which the mechanical chain 110 is received asit traverses a path through the conveyor system 100. The conveyor tracksection 200 is described in greater detail below.

Within the depicted conveyor system 100, mechanical chains 110 aresupported on a support structure 120 that includes a plurality ofvertical supports 122 and a plurality of horizontal supports 124. Asshown in FIG. 1, the support structure 120 may also include one or moreguide walls 126, e.g., to help guide items as they are conveyed byconveyor system 100. Additionally, other components such as, e.g., aramp 130 or slide 130 may be used in conveyor system 100 to transferitems from one portion of the conveyor system 100 to another portion ofthe conveyor system 100.

As further illustrated in FIG. 1, mechanical chains 110 of conveyorsystem 100 are driven by sprocket assembly 140 positioned at a drive end102 of conveyor system 100, with an idler assembly 142 positioned at areturn end 104 of conveyor system 100 to guide mechanical chains 110.Specifically, each mechanical chain 110 generally traverses a loop suchthat the links 112 of the mechanical chain 110 in an upper grouping ofthe loop are pulled by sprocket assembly 140 away from idler assembly142 along a direction of movement M, with a portion of each mechanicalchain 110 exposed for the placement of items thereon. Links 112 in alower grouping of the loop are pushed toward idler assembly 142 in adirection opposite to the direction of movement M.

FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C each provide a cross section view of an exemplaryconveyor track section 200 of the present subject matter. The exemplaryconveyor track section 200 of FIG. 2A utilizes a plurality of securingmembers 300 according to the exemplary embodiment of securing members300 illustrated in FIG. 5A. The exemplary conveyor track section 200 ofFIG. 2B utilizes a plurality of securing members 300 according to theexemplary embodiment of securing members 300 depicted in FIG. 5B.Further, the exemplary conveyor track section 200 of FIG. 2C utilizes aplurality of securing members 300 according to the exemplary embodimentof securing members 300 shown in of FIG. 5C.

The conveyor track section 200 defines a length direction L (FIG. 6), awidth direction W, and a height direction H_(T), which are orthogonal toone another. As shown, the conveyor track section 200 comprises a baseplate 210, a wear track profile 250, placement pins 290, and securingmembers 300, which when assembled provide a path for the links 112 ofthe mechanical chain 110 to traverse. More particularly, as illustratedin FIGS. 2A-2C, the mechanical chain 110 is received within the weartrack profile 250 such that the links 112 of the chain 110 move alongthe wear track profile 250 as the chain 110 moves within the conveyorsystem 100. Further, as described herein, the exemplary conveyor tracksection 200 comprises a plurality of placement pins 290 and a pluralityof securing members 300. The placement pins 290 and securing members 300removably or releasably align and secure the wear track profile 250 withthe base plate 210. In some embodiments, the conveyor track section 200is symmetric across an assembly section center axis 202, which extendsalong the height direction H_(T). Therefore, in such embodiments, thereis an equivalent number of securing members 300 and placement pins 290on the left side and the right side of the first center axis 202. Eachcomponent is described in greater detail below.

FIG. 3 provides a top view of the base plate 210 shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B,and 2C. Base plate 210 is defined dimensionally by a length l₁, a widthw₁, and a height h₁ (FIGS. 2A-2C). In the illustrated embodiment, thebase plate 210 is a ¼ inch thick stainless steel plate; that is, heighth₁ is ¼ inch. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate the baseplate also may be made from other suitable materials and may have adifferent height or thickness. Further, base plate 210 has a first end212, a second end 214, a top surface 216, and a bottom surface 218(FIGS. 2A-2C). Between a first side surface 220 and a second sidesurface 222 and extending along the length direction L, the base plate210 has a base plate center axis 204. In the illustrated embodiment, thebase plate 210 is symmetric across the second center axis 204. Asfurther described below, the symmetric design allows for an evendistribution of forces across the base plate 210 in the conveyor system100.

Adjacent the first side surface 220, the base plate 210 defines a firstrow of slots 230. Each slot 230 in the row of slots is an opening thatextends through the base plate 210 from the top surface 216 to thebottom surface 218. In the illustrated embodiment, each slot 230 has thesame dimensions, which are dictated by the dimensions of securingmembers 300. More particularly, each slot 230 must be large enough for asecuring member 300 to extend through the opening for proper assembly ofconveyor track section 200, while also being small enough for securingmember 300 to remain in place once the conveyor track section 200 isassembled. A widthwise center 232 of each slot 230 in the first row ofslots is a distance d₁ from the first side surface 220. It can furtherbe seen in FIG. 3 that the slots 230 are more condensed near the firstend 212 and the second end 214 than a lengthwise central portion of thebase plate 210. Because the first end 212 and the second end 214experience the greatest forces and moments during use, the slots 230near the ends 212, 214 are more condensed and, in the depictedembodiment, are spaced from one another at a distance d₂. As forcesdecrease toward the center, i.e., away from each of the first end 212and second end 214, the slots 230 can be spaced from one another atlarger and larger distances, such as the distances d₃ and d₄ in theexemplary embodiment. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 3, a symmetricalsecond row of slots 230 is defined adjacent the second side surface 222of the base plate 210. Each slot 230 in the second row of slots isconfigured as described with respect to the slots 230 of the first rowof slots.

The base plate 210 defines a hole 240 adjacent each slot 230. In theexemplary embodiment, each hole 240 receives a placement pin 290, asshown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C. A center 242 of each hole 240 is locateda widthwise distance d₅ from the center 232 of each slot 230. Thediameter D₁ of each hole 240 is dictated by the diameter D₂ of theplacement pins 290 (FIGS. 2A-2C). As illustrated in each of FIGS. 2A,2B, and 2C, the depth or height h₂ of each hole 240 may be dictated by adesired height h₃ that the placement pin 290 extends above the topsurface 216 of the base plate 210. In the depicted embodiment, theheight h₂ of each of the holes 240 does not extend completely throughthe base plate 210, i.e., from the top surface 216 of the base plate 210to the bottom surface 218 of the base plate 210, which permits aplacement pin 290 to be received and secured in each hole 240 as will bedescribed in further detail below.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the wear track profile 250 of the conveyortrack section 200 shown in FIGS. 2A-2C. In exemplary embodiments, thewear track profile 250 is made of a single piece of ultra-high molecularweight polyethylene. However, one skilled in the art will appreciatethat, in other embodiments, the wear track profile may consist ofmultiple components and/or be made from other suitable materials. Thewear track profile 250 has a top surface 252, a bottom surface 254, afirst end 256 opposite a second end 258 along the length direction L,and a first side 260 opposite a second side 262 along the widthdirection W. The wear track profile 250 has a length l₂ extending alongthe length direction L from the first end 256 to the second end 258.While the lengths l₁ of the base plate 210 and l₂ of the wear trackprofile 250 may be different in some embodiments, in the illustratedembodiment, each length l₁, l₂ is identical. Further, like the baseplate 210, the wear track profile 250 is symmetric across a longitudinalor lengthwise center axis 264 (FIG. 6) that extends along the lengthdirection L.

At least a portion of each of the first end 256 and the second end 258of the wear track profile 250 is biased at an angle with respect to thebottom surface 254. As shown in FIG. 4, a portion of the first end 256is biased at an angle θ with respect to the top surface 252, and aportion of the second end 258 likewise is biased at the angle θ withrespect to the bottom surface 254 of the wear track profile 250; the topsurface 252 and bottom surface 254 are parallel to one another. Angle θis greater than 0°, and in some embodiments, angle θ may be within arange from about 30° to about 60°. In the illustrated embodiment, angleθ is about 45°, but the angle θ may have other values as well, up toabout 90°. The angled first end 256 and angled second end 258 helpprevent debris such as waste or contaminants from filling the gapsbetween conveyor track sections 200, as well as help transition betweenuneven surfaces and bends or curves in the conveyor system 100.

As shown in FIG. 4, the bottom surface 254 of the wear track profileincludes a plurality of ribs 270. Each rib of the plurality of ribs 270extends from the bottom surface 254 of the wear track profile 250 andhas a height h₄. Further, each rib 270 comprises a width w₂ (FIG. 7) andextends the entire width w₃ (FIGS. 2A-2C) of the wear track profile 250.The bottom surface 272 of each rib 270 defines at least one hole 274that receives a corresponding placement pin 290 secured to the baseplate 210. Therefore, each hole 274 in the wear track profile 250corresponds to a hole 240 in the base plate 210, such that a first rowof holes 274 and a second row of holes 274 are defined in the pluralityof ribs 270. As illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, the placement pins290 secured within the plurality of holes 240 of the base plate 210thereby are received in the corresponding hole 274 on the wear trackprofile 250. As such, the plurality of placement pins 290 aligns thewear track profile 250 and the base plate 210 and prevents the weartrack profile 250 from shifting on the base plate 210 when the conveyorsystem 100 is in operation.

In exemplary embodiments, the shape of each hole 274 is complementary tothe shape of each placement pin 290, but the holes 274 may have anysuitable shape for receipt of placement pins 290. Further, the diameterD₃ of each hole 274 is large enough to receive a placement pin 290 butalso small for the placement pin 290 to snugly fit within the hole 274.It will also be appreciated by one skilled in the art that in otherembodiments, the bottom surface 254 of the wear track profile 250,rather than ribs 270, may define the holes 274 that receivecorresponding placement pins 290 that are secured to the base plate 210.

In the illustrated embodiment, the ribs 270 are equally spaced along thelength direction L from the first end 256 to the second end 258, butlike the holes 240 defined in the base plate 210, the holes 274 in thefirst row of holes 274 are not equally spaced from one another and thenumber of holes 274 in the second row of holes are not evenly spacedfrom one another along the length direction L. Accordingly, in theembodiment depicted in FIG. 4, the number of ribs 270 differs from thenumber of holes 274 in the first row of holes and from the number ofholes 274 in the second row of holes. It will be appreciated that, inother embodiments, a hole 274 in the first row of holes is defined ineach rib 270 and a hole 274 in the second row of holes is defined ineach rib 270 such that the number of holes 274 in the first row of holesand the number of holes 274 in the second row of holes 274 correspondsto the number of ribs 270. Thus, in such embodiments, the ribs 270 maynot be equally spaced apart from one another along the length directionL.

Additionally, as shown in FIG. 6, the center of the wear track profile250 defines a cutout 280 corresponding to the shape of the mechanicalchain 110. The cutout 280 extends the entire length l₂ of the wear trackprofile 250, and the cutout 280 remains consistent across each conveyortrack section 200 of the conveyor system 100. It will be appreciated byone skilled in the art that the shape of cutout 280 may be adapted forvarious types of mechanical chains 110 that may be used with theconveyor system 100 for a variety of applications.

FIG. 5A provides a side view of a securing member 300 illustrated inFIG. 2A. As shown in FIG. 5A, the securing member 300 comprises a firstarm 302, a second arm 304, and a third arm 306. The arms together form aZ shape and provide stiffness to secure the wear track profile 250 tothe base plate 210. The first arm 302 has a length l₃, the second arm304 has a length l₄, and the third arm 306 has a length l₅. Further, thefirst and third arms 302, 306 may be substantially parallel as shown inFIG. 5 and, thus, substantially parallel to the top surface 252 of thewear track profile 250 and the bottom surface 218 of the base plate 210,or the first arm 302 may be angled downward as shown in FIG. 2A, whichincreases the pressure provided by the securing member 300 and can helpthe securing member 300 hold the wear track profile 250 in position withrespect to the base plate 210. The first arm 302 may be angled downwardonly slightly, to provide increased pressure without making it overlydifficult or impossible to install or remove the securing member 300.Moreover, the transitions between the arms 302, 304, 306 of the securingmember 300 may be curved (i.e., may have a radius) or may besubstantially square (i.e., the first and second arms 302, 304 and thesecond and third arms 304, 306 intersect at substantially right angles).

FIG. 5B provides a side view of a securing member 300 illustrated inFIG. 2B, i.e., FIG. 5B depicts another exemplary embodiment of asecuring member for locking or securing the wear track profile 250 withrespect to the base plate 210. As shown in FIG. 5B, the securing member300 comprises a first arm 302, a second arm 304, and a third arm 306.The three arms together form a C shape and provide stiffness to securethe wear track profile 250 to the base plate 210; the shape of thesecuring member 300 also could be described as a U shape. The first arm302 has a length l₃, the second arm 304 has a length l₄, and the thirdarm 306 has a length l₅. In various embodiments, the length l₃ of thefirst arm 302 may be approximately equal to the length l₃ of the thirdarm 306, or either the first arm 302 or the third arm 306 may be longerthan the other. Further, the first and third arms 302, 306 may besubstantially parallel as shown in FIG. 5B and, thus, substantiallyparallel to the top surface 252 of the wear track profile 250 and thebottom surface 218 of the base plate 210, or the first arm 302 may beangled downward as shown in FIG. 2B, which increases the pressureprovided by the securing member 300 and can help the securing member 300hold the wear track profile 250 in position with respect to the baseplate 210. The first arm 302 may be angled downward only slightly, toprovide increased pressure without making it overly difficult orimpossible to install or remove the securing member 300. Moreover, thetransitions between the arms 302, 304, 306 of the securing member 300may be curved (i.e., may have a radius) or may be substantially square(i.e., the first and second arms 302, 304 and the second and third arms304, 306 intersect at substantially right angles).

FIG. 5C provides a side view of the securing member 300 of FIG. 2C,i.e., FIG. 5C illustrates another exemplary embodiment of a securingmember for locking or securing the wear track profile 250 with respectto the base plate 210. As shown in FIG. 5C, the securing member 300comprises a first arm 302 and a second arm 304. The two arms togetherform an L shape and provide stiffness to secure the wear track profile250 to the base plate 210. Further, a washer 308 is welded or otherwisesecured to the end of the second arm 304 opposite the end at which thefirst arm 302 intersects the second arm 304. The second arm 304 mayprotrude beyond the washer 308 as shown in FIG. 5C, or the second arm304 may not protrude beyond the washer 308 (i.e., the end of the secondarm 304 may be flush with or recessed within the washer 308). In theembodiment depicted in FIG. 5C, the first arm 302 has a length l₃ andthe second arm 304 has a length l₄, which may be different than thelengths l₃ and l₄ of the first and second arms 302, 304 of the C shapedsecuring member 300 shown in FIG. 5C. Additionally, as shown in FIG. 2C,the first arm 302 may be angled downward, rather than substantiallyparallel to the top surface 252 of the wear track profile 250, toincrease the pressure provided by the securing member 300 and help thesecuring member 300 hold the wear track profile 250 in position withrespect to the base plate 210. As previously described, the first arm302 may be angled downward only slightly, to provide increased pressurewithout making it overly difficult or impossible to install or removethe securing member 300. Moreover, the transition between the first andsecond arms 302, 304 of the securing member 300 may be curved (i.e., mayhave a radius) or may be substantially square (i.e., the first andsecond arms 302, 304 intersect at a substantially right angle).

It will be understood that, in other embodiments, the securing member300 may have other suitable shapes, with any appropriate number of arms;the shape is selected for the securing member 300 to secure the weartrack profile 250 to the base plate 210. Further, the relative lengthsand diameters of the arms 302, 304, 306 of the securing members 300illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B are by way of example only. In otherembodiments, the length and diameter of each arm 302, 304, 306 may varyfrom the depicted embodiments.

FIG. 6 provides an exploded perspective view and FIG. 7 provides a topview of a portion of the conveyor track section 200 depicted in FIG. 2A,which comprises the components depicted in FIG. 3-5A. Although only onesecuring member 300 is depicted in FIG. 6, it will be appreciated that asecuring member 300 extends through each slot 230 in the base plate 210such that the first arm 302 is positioned on the top surface 252 of thewear track profile 250 and the third arm 306 is positioned on the bottomsurface 218 of the base plate 210 as further described herein. Aplurality of securing members 300 are shown in FIG. 7. Further, althoughonly illustrated with respect to the Z shape securing member 300 of FIG.5A, it will be easily understood from FIGS. 2B and 2C that the followingdescription of FIGS. 6 and 7 also generally applies to conveyor tracksections 200 having C shape securing members 300 as shown in FIG. 5B andL shape securing members 300 as shown in FIG. 5C.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the placement pins 290 are secured in theholes 240 in the base plate 210. The placement pins 290 may be made fromstainless steel or another suitable material and, in exemplaryembodiments, are welded into the holes 240. For example, the base plate210 may define a recess 292 (FIGS. 2A-2C, 9) adjacent each hole 240 thatprovides an area for placement pins 290 to be welded to the base plate210 within the holes 240. However, one skilled in the art willappreciate that the placement pins 290 may be secured to the base plate210 using other suitable methods.

The holes 274 defined by the wear track profile 250, e.g., in ribs 270as shown in the depicted embodiment, correspond to the placement pins290 on the base plate 210. Therefore, the first end 212 and second end214 of the base plate 210 align with the first end 256 and second end258 of the wear track profile 250. The placement pins 290 received inthe wear track profile 250 permit proper alignment of wear track profile250 and base plate 210 and prevent the wear track profile 250 fromshifting during operation of the conveyor system 100.

Further, as generally designated in FIG. 6, the top surface 252 of thewear track profile defines a first row of grooves 282 and a second rowof grooves 282 spaced laterally apart from the first row. Each groove282 in the first and second rows of grooves 282 is defined directlyabove a hole 274 defined in the wear track profile 250. As illustratedin FIGS. 6 and 7, each groove 282 receives the first arm 302 of asecuring member 300, and the grooves 282 may be tapered in depth, asmost clearly illustrated in FIG. 2A. That is, each groove 282 has afirst end 284 that is deeper than an opposite second end 286. In thedepicted embodiment, the first ends 284 of the grooves 282 are definedtoward the center of the wear track profile 250. As such, as shown inFIG. 6 for example, the second ends 286 of the grooves 282 in the firstrow of grooves are defined closer to the first side 260 of the weartrack profile 250 and the second ends 286 of the grooves 282 in thesecond row of grooves are defined closer to the second side 262 of thewear track profile.

Thus, the first arm 302 of each securing member 300 of the conveyortrack section 200 contacts the top surface 252 of the wear track profile250. Further, the first arm 302 of each securing member 300 is directlyabove a placement pin 290 as shown in FIGS. 2A and 7. The second arm 304of each securing member 300 extends through a corresponding slot 230 inthe base plate 210, and the third arm 306 of each securing member 300contacts the bottom surface 218 of base plate 210. It will beappreciated that, as shown in FIG. 2B, embodiments comprising C shapesecuring members 300 will have a similar configuration, i.e., the firstarm 302 contacts the top surface 252 in the profile 250, the second arm304 extends through a corresponding slot 230 in the base plate 210, andthe third arm 306 of each securing member 300 contacts the bottomsurface 218 of base plate 210. However, in embodiments utilizing C shapesecuring members 300, the third arm 306 extends in the same direction asthe first arm 302 such that the first and third arms 302, 306 generallyare vertically aligned, but in embodiments with Z shape securing members300, the third arm 306 extends in the opposite direction as the firstarm 302 such that the arms 302, 306 generally are parallel but are notvertically aligned. Further, in embodiments comprising L shape securingmembers 300 rather than Z shape or C shape securing members 300, thewasher 308, rather than a third arm 306, contacts the bottom surface 218of the base plate 210. Otherwise, as described with respect to the Zshape and C shape securing members 300 and as shown in FIG. 2C, thefirst arm 302 of each L shape securing member 300 contacts the topsurface 252 of the wear track profile 250 and is directly above aplacement pin 290, and the second arm 304 of each L shape securingmember 300 extends through a corresponding slot 230 in the base plate210.

When a securing member 300 is installed in each slot 230 with the firstand third arms 302, 306 contacting the wear track profile 250 and baseplate 210, respectively, the conveyor track section 200 is fullyassembled without the need for hardware such as screws or bolts. Theillustrated embodiment allows for easier assembly and disassembly ofconveyor track section 200, which, e.g., decreases the amount of timerequired to properly clean and sanitize the conveyor system 100 whenrequired. Further, the placement of each securing member 300 above aplacement pin 290 contributes to the structural integrity of theconveyor track section 200. The securing member 300 compresses the weartrack profile 250 over the base plate 210 and placement pins 290, andfurther prevents the wear track profile 250 from shifting or movingduring operation of the conveyor system 100.

FIG. 8 is an example of a release tool 400 that can be used to installthe securing members 300 with the wear track profile 250 and base plate210 and to detach the securing members 300 from wear track profile 250and base plate 210 so the conveyor track sections 200 can be assembledand disassembled. The release tool 400 includes a shaft 410 with ahandle 420 extending from the shaft 410. A first end 414 of the releasetool 400 comprises a hook 430 that fits in release holes 288 shown inFIGS. 2A-2C and 6. The release holes 288 are defined at each groove 282on the top surface 252 of the wear track profile 250 to permit the hook430 of the release tool 400 to be inserted under the securing member 300such that when the hook 430 is lifted upward or rotated within therelease hole 288, the securing member 300 may be released from groove282 and thereby detached or removed from the conveyor track section 200.A second end 416 of the release tool 400 defines a slot 440 that allowsassembly of the securing member 300 with the wear track profile 250 andbase plate 210. More particularly, the first arm 302 or third arm 306 ofa securing member 300 fits in the release tool slot 440, and the releasetool 400 is rotated to position the arm of the securing member 300 inplace with respect to the wear track profile 250 or base plate 210.

It will be appreciated that the securing members 300 may apply arelatively large amount of pressure (90 pounds per square inch) to thewear track profile 250 and base plate 210 to properly assemble theprofile 250 and plate 210 to form the conveyor track section 200. Assuch, the release tool 400 may allow easier assembly and/or disassemblyof conveyor track sections 200. For example, the release tool 400 maymake it possible to install and detach the securing members 300, whichmay apply too great of a pressure to allow for assembly and disassemblyby hand. As another example, the release tool 400 may reduce the amountof time it takes to assemble the wear track profile 250 with the baseplate 210 or to remove the profile 250 from the plate 210. Further, tofacilitate use of the release tool 400, it will be appreciated that thewashers 308 used with the L shape securing members 300 may be secured toeach securing member 300 after the securing member is assembled with thewear track profile 250 and base plate 210 and may be removed from eachsecuring member 300 before the securing member is disassembled from theconveyor track section 200. In other embodiments, the release tool 400may not be used for either assembly, disassembly, or both of theconveyor track section(s) 200 that utilize L shape securing member 300.

FIG. 9 provides a side view of two conveyor track sections 200positioned adjacent one another at their ends to form a portion of theconveyor system 100. As previously described, at least a portion of eachend 256, 258 of a wear track profile 250 may be angled with respect tothe bottom surface 254 of the wear track profile. The angled portion ofthe first end 256 defines a first angled surface 266, and the angledportion of the second end 258 defines a second angled surface 268. Asshown in FIG. 9, when the conveyor track sections 200 are positionedend-to-end, the first angled surface 266 of one conveyor track section200 aligns with a second angled surface 268 of a second conveyor tracksection 200. In the illustrated embodiment, because the first end 256and first angled surface 266 and the second end 258 and second angledsurface 268 are at the same angle θ, a gap G between the conveyor tracksections 200 may be minimized. Therefore, less debris enters the gap G,which enables easier cleaning and sanitation of the conveyor system 100.Further, the angled first and second ends 256, 258 help the plurality ofconveyor track sections 200 transition between uneven surfaces and bendsor curves in the conveyor system 100. That is, the angled interfacebetween conveyor track sections 200 may be better for more complicatedconfigurations of the conveyor system 100 than an essentially verticalinterface between sections 200 by better enabling transitions while alsominimizing gaps between sections 200.

It also will be appreciated that the base plates 210 may be configuredto secure one or more wear track profiles 250 to each base plate 210.For example, the base plate 210 may secure two wear track profiles 250using the structure detailed above. Similarly, the base plate 210 sizesmay be altered so the gaps between base plates 210 occur in themidpoints of the wear track profiles 250. Further, it can be appreciatedby one skilled in the art that the base plate may define additionalholes, slots, grooves, etc. to mount the base plate 210 to the supportstructure 120 of the conveyor system 100.

Turning now to FIGS. 10 through 20, a chain adjustment assembly 500 isillustrated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subjectmatter. Generally, the chain adjustment assembly 500 is a translatingunit that adjusts the position of the sprocket 144 of the idler assembly142 to loosen or tighten the mechanical chain 110 of the conveyor system100. For instance, the mechanical chain 110 may grow slack or loosen asthe conveyor system 100 is used over time; a slack or loose chain 110may degrade the performance of the conveyor system 100. Thus, tomaintain or improve the performance of the conveyor system 100, thechain adjustment assembly 500 may be used to restore the chain 110 toits previous tightness or to maintain a desired tension on the chain110.

As shown in FIGS. 10-14, the chain adjustment assembly 500 includes aram 502 that, in the depicted embodiment, translates horizontally in andout of a housing 504, which has a width w_(house), and a heighth_(house), as illustrated in FIG. 14. More particularly, the ram 502telescopes in and out of the housing 504 and is centered within thehousing 504 by runners 506 that extend from the top, bottom, and sidesof the ram 502. As indicated in FIG. 12, the ram 502 has a width w_(ram)and a height h_(ram), where the width w_(ram) is measured from the outersurface of a side runner 506 to the outer surface of an opposite siderunner 506 and the height h_(ram) is measured from the outer surface ofa top runner 506 to the outer surface of a bottom runner 506. As shownin the figures, the runners 506 are welded to the ram 502; in otherembodiments, the runners 506 may be secured or attached to the ram 502using other securing means (such as fasteners or the like), or the ram502 may be formed such that the ram 502 and runners 506 are a single,integral component. In any event, the runners 506 may be relativelyeasily made part of the ram 502 to reliably position the ram 502 withinthe housing 504.

The width w_(house) and height h_(house) of the housing 504, as well asthe width w_(ram) and height h_(ram) of the ram 502, may be selectedbased on the dimensions of other features of the chain adjustmentassembly 500 and conveyor system 100. In an exemplary embodiment, thewidth w_(house) of the housing 504 is 4½ inches and the height h_(house)of the housing 504 is 1¾ inches, and the width w_(ram) of the ram 502 is4 inches and the height h_(ram) of the ram 502 is 1¼ inches. However,other widths and heights of the ram 502 and housing 504 also may beused.

In addition to positioning the ram 502 within the housing 504, therunners 506 allow a cleaning fluid to pass through the housing 504around the ram 502, which aids in cleaning the conveyor system 100.Further, the runners 506 reduce the friction between the ram 502 andhousing 504 by reducing the contact area between the ram 502 and housing504, e.g., compared to the friction between the ram 502 and housing 504if one or more surfaces of the ram 502 (such as the bottom surface 502a, which would contact the housing 504 along an area equal to the entirewidth of the ram 502 and at least a portion of the length of the ram502) was in contact with the housing. That is, each runner 506 comprisesonly a fraction of the width or height of the ram 502, and even if eachrunner 506 extends along the entire length of the ram 502 (and in someembodiments, one or more runners 506 may extend along only a portion ofthe ram length), the friction between the ram 502 and the housing 504 isreduced compared to the friction between the ram 502 and housing 504 ifone or more surfaces of the ram 502 was in contact with the housing 504.Thus, the runners 506 provide reliable positioning that is easy tomanufacture while minimizing the friction within the housing 504.

The ram 502 is driven by a linear drive member 508, which in exemplaryembodiments is a screw or a leadscrew, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. Thelinear drive member 508 is actuated at a first end 508 a, e.g., using awrench or other device to apply torque to the first end 508 a eithermanually or automatically. As shown in FIG. 16A, the first end 508 a mayinclude a square shaped protrusion or other section where a tool may beused to apply the torque. Opposite the first end 508 a, a second end 508b of the linear drive member 508 is secured to the ram 502, e.g., usingone or more set screws, such that the motion of the linear drive member508 is translated to the ram 502. More particularly, for exemplaryembodiments in which the linear drive member 508 is a leadscrew, therotational motion of the leadscrew 508 is translated to linear motion ofa shuttle or nut 510 (FIG. 16B) received on the leadscrew 508 at itssecond end 508 b. As depicted in FIGS. 12 and 16B, the ram 502 and thenut 510 each define an aperture 512 for receipt of the leadscrew 508.The nut 510, in turn, is secured to the ram 502, e.g., using the one ormore set screws, such that the ram 502 moves linearly as the leadscrew508 is rotated. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 16B, in an exemplaryembodiment, two set screws are used, such that two set screw openings514 are defined in each of the ram 502 and nut 510. One or more jam nuts516 (FIG. 16C) may be used to help position the nut 510 on the leadscrew508. Moreover, the mechanical securement of the set screws is reversibleand thus enables the linear drive member 508 to be easily dissembledfrom the ram 502 should the need arise for cleaning or replacement ofany of the parts of the chain adjustment assembly 500. Further, inembodiments having a leadscrew as the linear drive member 508, thelength of the leadscrew 508, its diameter, and the pitch of its threadsallow dimensioning the leadscrew 508 to adequately absorb theconsiderable tension the chain 110 applies to the idler sprocket 144.The nut 510, having a width w_(nut) and a height h_(nut) as shown inFIG. 16B, also may be dimensioned based on the tension in the chain 110,as well as any dimensional constraints of the ram 502 and/or housing504. As further illustrated in FIG. 16A, the leadscrew 508 may not bethreaded along its entire length, and a threaded portion 518 of theleadscrew 508 may end at a distance or length l_(off_threads) from thesecond end 508 b.

The ram 502 is attached to a ram plate 520, which is illustrated inFIGS. 10, 11, 17, and 19. The ram plate 520 distributes the force of theram 502 over an area A_(Rplate). The area A_(Rplate) is determined bythe shape of the ram plate 520. As an example, for the illustratedrectangular plate 520, the area A_(Rplate) is the width w_(Rplate) ofthe plate 520 multiplied by its height h_(Rplate). In other embodiments,the ram plate 520 may have another shape, e.g., the plate 520 may becircular, oval, square, hexagonal, etc., such that the area A_(Rplate)is determined using an appropriate mathematical formula for the plate'sshape. The ram 502 may be attached to the ram plate 520 via welding orother suitable means of securing the ram 502 with respect to the plate520.

As shown in FIGS. 10, 11, 18, and 19, the ram plate 520 is attached to aspacer 522. As such, a first side 520 a of the ram plate 520 is attachedto the ram 502 and a second side 520 b is attached to the spacer 522.The spacer 522 provides room for the sprocket 144, which is attached tothe chain adjustment assembly 500 using a pillow block bearing assembly524 as illustrated in FIGS. 10, 11, and 19. In other embodiments, othertypes of bearing assemblies or other means for supporting the sprocket144 may be used. The spacer 522 has a height h_(spacer) and a lengthl_(spacer). A first side 522 a of the spacer 522 is attached to the ramplate 520, and a second side 522 b of the spacer 522 is attached to abearing plate 526, which is depicted in FIGS. 10, 11, 19, and 20. Thebearing plate 526 helps distribute the forces applied by the sprocket144 and chain 110 through the bearing assembly 524. The bearing plate526 has a height h_(Bplate) and a length l_(Bplate), and a first side526 a of the bearing plate 526 is attached to the spacer 522 and asecond side 526 b is attached to the bearing assembly 524. As shown mostclearly in FIGS. 18-20, each of the spacer 522 and bearing plate 526defines apertures 528 such that the bearing assembly 524 may be attachedto the chain adjustment assembly 500 using appropriate fasteners 530,e.g., bolts or the like. Each of the spacer 522 and bearing plate 526defines a distance d_(Baps) between an upper aperture 528 a and a loweraperture 528 b.

Turning now to FIGS. 21 through 31, a panel mount assembly 600 isillustrated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subjectmatter. Generally, the panel mount assembly 600 allows panels to beattached to the conveyor system 100 to block the area below the uppergrouping of links in the mechanical chain 110, e.g., to block an areabelow an upper wear track profile 250 on a user side 150 of the conveyorsystem 100. The panel mount assembly 600 includes support arms thatpivot away from the conveyor support structure 120 for a panel to beattached to the support arms and that pivot toward the conveyor supportstructure 120 with the attached panel and are secured in place such thatthe area under the conveyor is blocked by the panel.

Referring particularly to FIG. 21, the panel mount assembly 600 of theillustrated exemplary embodiment comprises a support member 602, anattachment block 604, washers 606, and a bushing holder 608. A panel 610is attached to the support member 602 using the attachment block 604.More particularly, the attachment block 604 is received on a first arm602 a of the support member 602, with a washer 606 above and below theattachment block 604, e.g., to support and retain the attachment block604 on the support member 602. The attachment block 604, bushing holder608, and panel 610 together define at least one aperture 612 for asuitable fastener 614 (e.g., FIG. 22), which passes through the bushingholder 608, panel 610, and attachment block 604 to secure the panel 610to the support member 602. The fastener 614 may be a bolt, and as shownmost clearly in FIG. 22, a washer 616 and a nut 618 may be used with thebolt 614 to secure together the attachment block 604, panel 610, andbushing holder 608.

As depicted in FIG. 23-25, the panel mount assembly 600 has a securedposition (FIG. 23) and a mounting position (FIGS. 24 and 25). In thesecured position illustrated in FIG. 23, the support member 602 ispivoted or rotated into or toward the conveyor system 100 and is held inposition by a support stop or rest 620. The support member 602 includesa first arm 602 a, on which the attachment block 604 is received aspreviously described; a second arm 602 b, which laterally spaces thefirst arm 602 a from the conveyor system 100 when the support member 602is in the mounting position; and a third arm 602 c, which is received ina pivot holder 622 that permits the support member 602 to pivot withrespect to the conveyor system 100. The attachment block 604 may beplaced on the first arm 602 a while the support member 602 is in thesecured position as shown in FIG. 23, or the attachment block 604 may beplaced on the first arm 602 a after the support member 602 is pivotedaway from the conveyor system 100.

FIGS. 24 and 25 illustrate the support member 602 in the mountingposition, in which the support member 602 is pivoted or rotated awayfrom the conveyor system 100 such that the first arm 602 a of thesupport member 602 is spaced from the conveyor system 100. With thefirst arm 602 a clear of the conveyor system 100, the panel 610 mayeasily be secured to the attachment block 604 and, thereby, the supportmember 602. That is, the mounting position of the panel mount assembly600 provides adequate space to install the panel 610. Further, themounting position allows the panel 610 to be swung or positioned awayfrom the conveyor system 100, e.g., to clean the panel 610 and/oranother component of the conveyor system 100 without having todisassemble the panel 610 from the conveyor system 100. Thus, the panelmount assembly 600 simplifies assembly and use of the conveyor system100.

FIG. 26 illustrates the panel mount assembly 600 returned to the securedposition, with the panel 610 attached to the support member 602. Moreparticularly, and as also shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the panel 610 isattached to more than one support member 602. Multiple support members602 may be needed to support a panel 610, e.g., depending on the panel'slength or weight, or multiple support members 602 may be used tofacilitate easier and/or more controlled motion of the panel mountassembly 600 when the panel 610 is mounted thereto. However, in someembodiments, a panel 610 may be mounted to the conveyor system 100 usingonly one support member 602. Further, it will be appreciated that one ormore panels 610 may be used along a length of the conveyor. Forinstance, a single panel 610 may be used that has the same length as theconveyor, or multiple panels 610 may be used along a single length ofthe conveyor.

As further illustrated in FIG. 26, when the panel mount assembly 600 andmounted panel 610 are in the secured position, the panel 610 blocks theconveyor system 100 below the upper conveyor track sections 200. Assuch, the panel 610 impedes contaminants or other debris from gatheringbelow or under the conveyor system 100. The panels 610 may alsootherwise aid in cleaning the conveyor system 100. Moreover, the panel610 discourages a person, such as an operator or other user of theconveyor system 100, from getting a body part, clothing, or other itemnear the lower portion of the chain 110 or other portions of theconveyor system 100 that are hard to see from above and could pose asafety risk. Therefore, the panels 610, which are easily mounted to theconveyor system 100 and maneuvered into position using the panel mountassembly 600, help maintain or promote cleanliness of the conveyorsystem 100 and increase the safety of the conveyor system 100.

Referring to FIG. 27A, it will be appreciated that each arm 602 a, 602b, 602 c of the support member 602 has a length. More specifically, thefirst arm 602 a has a length l_(SMA1), the second arm 602 b has a lengthl_(SMA2) (FIG. 23), and the third arm 602 c has a length l_(SMA3).Further, the second arm 602 b may extend generally along the horizontaldirection H_(z) as shown, for example, in FIG. 23, or as shown in FIG.27A, in some embodiments the second arm 602 b may extend at an angle αwith respect to the horizontal direction H_(z). Moreover, in embodimentshaving an angled second arm 602 b, rather than the length l_(SMA2) ofthe second arm 602 b, a horizontal distance or length d_(panel) of thepanel 610 from the third arm 602 c may be used, e.g., to determine thespacing of the panel 610 from the conveyor system 100 when the panelmount assembly 600 is in the mounting position.

FIG. 27B also depicts an alternative embodiment of the support member602, particularly the orientation of the first arm 602 a of supportmember 602. As shown in FIGS. 21-23, 25, and 26 and FIG. 27A, the firstarm 602 a may extend upward from the second arm 602 b. In thealternative embodiment of FIG. 27B, the first arm 602 a extends downwardfrom the second arm 602 b. Other features of the alternative supportmember 602 are described below. Additionally, it will be appreciatedthat yet other embodiments or configurations of the support member 602may be used in the panel mount assembly 600.

Referring to FIGS. 27A-29, the pivot holder 622 will be described ingreater detail. As shown in the figures, the pivot holder 622 defines afirst groove 624 on a first face 626 of the pivot holder 622 that isperpendicular to the direction of movement M of the mechanical chain110. The pivot holder 622 further defines a second groove 628 on asecond face 630 of the pivot holder 622 that is parallel to thedirection of movement M of the mechanical chain 110. Further, the pivotholder defines an opening 632 therethrough for receipt of the third arm602 c of the support member 602. In some embodiments, e.g., as shown inFIG. 28A and FIG. 29A, a tapered surface 634 is defined around theopening 632 at a top 636 of the pivot holder 622. Additionally, asillustrated in FIG. 28A and FIG. 29A, the pivot holder 622 may besecured to the conveyor system 100 by welding, but other suitableattachment means (e.g., fasteners, chemical bonding, etc.) may be usedas well. Alternatively, the pivot holder 622 may be secured to a pivotholder support 625 as shown in FIG. 28B and FIGS. 27B and 29B, and thepivot holder support 625 may, in turn, be secured to the conveyor system100. In the depicted exemplary embodiment, the pivot holder 622 iswelded to the pivot holder support 625, which is welded to the conveyorsystem 100, but other attachment or securing means may be used as well.The pivot holder support 625 may elevate the support member 602, which,e.g., may be desirable based on the configuration of the support member602, and/or the pivot holder support 625 may provide additional supportto the support member 602, which is bearing the forces applied by thepanel at the first arm 602 a, i.e., at a distance l_(SMA2) or d_(panel)from the pivot holder 622.

As depicted in FIG. 23, the support member 602 is received in the firstgroove 624 when in the secured position and is received in the secondgroove 628 when in the mounting position. The grooves 624, 628 recessthe support member 602 with respect to the pivot holder 622, e.g., tohelp prevent unintentional movement of the support member 602 withrespect to the pivot holder 622. That is, each groove 624, 628 helpshold the support member 602 in the desired position, i.e., either thesecured position when the support member 602 is in the first groove 624or the mounting position when the support member 602 is in the secondgroove 628. Moreover, it will be appreciated that the tapered surface634 simplifies rotational movement of the support arm 602 between thesecured position and the mounting position, i.e., from the first groove624 to the second groove 628 and back to the first groove 624.

FIGS. 30 and 31 depict the support stop or rest 620. Like the pivotholder 622, the support rest 620 defines a groove 638 perpendicular tothe direction of movement M of the mechanical chain 110. As shown inFIG. 23, the support member 602 is received in the support rest groove638 at or near the first arm 602 a when the panel mount assembly 600 isin the secured position. That is, the support rest 620 is positioned ator near where the first arm 602 a of the support member 602 overlies theconveyor system 100 when the support member 602 is in the securedposition. As such, the support rest 620 supports the support member 602,or the support member 602 and panel 610, in the secured position.Further, similar to the grooves 624, 628 of the pivot holder 622, thesupport rest groove 638 helps hold the support member 602 in the securedposition, i.e., the support member 602 is recessed in the support rest620 when received in the groove 638 to help prevent unintentionalmovement of the support member 602 from the secured position. Moreover,as shown in FIG. 31, the support rest 620 has a width w_(rest) and aheight h_(rest), which dimensions may be selected based on the size ordimensions of the support member 602 and/or the load the support rest620 must support when the panel 610 is secured to the support member602. For example, comparing FIG. 23 and FIG. 27B, the support rest 620may be taller (i.e., the height h_(rest) may be larger) in someembodiments, such as embodiments in which the first arm 602 a of thesupport member 602 extends downward rather than upward from the secondarm 602 b. Additionally, the groove 638 has a depth d_(RG), which may bethe same as or different from the depth of the grooves 624, 628 of thepivot holder 622, and the center of the groove 638 is a distance d_(RGC)from an outer edge 640 of the support rest 620. It will be appreciatedthat the support rest 620 may have other configurations as well.

Turning now to FIGS. 32 through 38, a leveling assembly 700 isillustrated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subjectmatter. Generally, the leveling assembly 700 provides means to supportthe conveyor system 100 on a support surface such as a floor, as well asmeans to level the mechanical chain 110. For example, the levelingassembly 700 may compensate for any variances or deviations in thesupport structure 120 from the vertical direction V and horizontaldirection H_(z) and thereby help the working portion of the chain 110(i.e., the portion of the chain conveying items or articles) bepositioned as close to horizontal as possible. Further, as describedherein, the leveling assembly 700 is configured to prevent or discouragecontaminants from being trapped in the assembly 700 such that theassembly 700 does not contribute to the contamination of the environmentof the conveyor system 100.

Referring to FIG. 32, a leveling assembly 700 is attached to a pluralityof the vertical supports 122 of the conveyor system support structure120. The leveling assemblies 700 contact a support surface 10, such as afloor of a manufacturing facility, a processing facility, or otherfacility, which supports the conveyor system 100. A horizontal support124 may extend at or near the leveling assemblies 700, e.g., to providecross-bracing of the support structure 120, stiffening the supportstructure 120 to withstand forces applied to the structure 120. Theleveling assemblies 700 may be attached to the support structure 120 atany suitable support 122, 124 using any suitable securing means, e.g.,welding, chemical bonding, fastening with one or more fasteners, etc.

FIG. 33 provides a schematic view of a leveling assembly 700 accordingto an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter. As illustratedin FIG. 33, the leveling assembly 700 comprises a leveling nut 704, aleveling screw 706, sealing nuts 708, jam nuts 710, a leveling pad 712,and a fastener 714. The leveling nut 704 is the portion of the levelingassembly 700 attached to a vertical support 122, and the leveling nut704 travels linearly along the leveling screw 706 to adjust the positionof the conveyor system 100 to which the leveling assembly 700 isattached, e.g., as shown in FIG. 32. The leveling nut 704 may begenerally cylindrical in shape, or as depicted in FIGS. 34-38, theleveling nut 704 may have a generally square or rectangularcross-section. The shape of the leveling nut 704 may be chosen tocomplement the shape of the component of the support structure 120 towhich the leveling assembly 700 will be attached, e.g., where thevertical supports 122 are formed as open right angles or as rectangularlegs, a generally square leveling nut 704 may be used such that theleveling assembly 700 may be mounted within or flush with a support 122.Further, in some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 33, a top portion704 a of the leveling nut 704 may be rounded or domed. That is, the topportion 704 a may comprise a portion of a sphere. In other embodiments,as illustrated in FIGS. 34-36, at least part of the top portion 704 amay be formed as a compound 45° angle such that at least part of the topportion is sloped. Whether the top portion 704 a is rounded or angled,the top portion 704 a of the leveling nut 704 in the exemplaryembodiments is shaped to help contaminants flow, slide, or otherwisefall off the leveling nut 704 to discourage buildup of contaminants ator in the leveling assembly 700. Of course, in appropriate embodiments,the top portion 704 a may be substantially flat, i.e., parallel to thesupport surface 10, rather than rounded or angled.

As shown in FIG. 33, a first end 706 a of the leveling screw 706 isreceived in the leveling nut 704, and a second end 706 b of the levelingscrew 706 is received in the leveling pad 712. The second end 706 b isrounded and may be referred to as a leveling ball. The leveling pad 712defines a complementarily shaped indentation 716, which receives theleveling ball end 706 b of the leveling screw 706 and, thus, may bereferred to as a ball seat. The leveling screw 706 may be dimensioned,i.e., the length and diameter of the screw 706, the pitch of itsthreads, etc. may be selected, based on the loading of the levelingassembly 700, the desired level of precision needed in the adjustmentsmade to level the conveyor, and/or other such criteria. Similarly, theleveling nut 704 and leveling pad 712 may be dimensioned based on thedimensions of the leveling screw 706 and/or any appropriate criteria(such as the criteria listed with respect to selecting the dimensions ofthe leveling screw 706).

The leveling screw 706 and the leveling nut 704 threaded on the levelingscrew 706 can pivot and rotate about an axis A_(level) on the levelingball end 706 b of the leveling screw 706 and thereby level the conveyor.For example, as shown in FIG. 35, the leveling screw 706 and the nuts704, 708, 710 threaded thereon are tilting slightly to the left. It willbe appreciated that the leveling assembly 700 has sufficient “play”therein to account for any variances or deviations in the conveyorsupports 122, 124 from the vertical direction V and horizontal directionH_(z) and thereby help the conveyor system 100 be positioned as close tolevel as possible. That is, each leveling assembly 700 can tilt leftright, forward, back, etc. (more particularly, the leveling assembly 700can rotate a full 360° about the axis A_(level) extending along thevertical direction V) as needed such that the conveyor chain 110 extendssubstantially along the horizontal direction H_(z) and, thus, issubstantially level.

The leveling assembly 700 also comprises at least one sealing nut 708and at least one jam nut 710, which are threaded on the leveling screw706 between the leveling nut 704 and the leveling pad 712. As shown inFIGS. 33-38, in exemplary embodiments, the leveling assembly 700includes two sealing nuts 708—a first sealing nut 708 a and a secondsealing nut 708 b—and two jam nuts 710—a first jam nut 710 and a secondjam nut 710 b. Each sealing nut 708 has a groove 710 defined therein, asshown in FIG. 38. The groove 718 helps secure a sealing member 720, suchas an O-ring or the like, between the sealing nut 708 and an adjacentcomponent. For instance, a first sealing member 720 a is located betweenthe first sealing nut 708 a and the leveling nut 704, and a secondsealing member 720 b is located between the second sealing nut 708 b andthe leveling pad 712. The jam nuts 710 help hold the sealing nuts 708 inplace and thereby keep the sealing members 720 compressed between therespective sealing nut 708 and leveling assembly component. Moreover,the first jam nut 710 a may help hold the leveling nut 704 in positionand the second jam nut 710 b may help hold the leveling screw 706 inposition with respect to the leveling pad 712 such that the levelposition of the conveyor can be maintained (once the level position isfound after adjusting the leveling assembly 700). The sealing members720 help prevent or impede contamination (e.g., dirt, debris, waste,etc. from processes occurring at or on the conveyor system 100 or aroundthe conveyor system 100) from gathering at or in the threads of theleveling nut 704 and at or in the leveling pad 712, e.g., in theindentation or ball seat 716, which could compromise the cleanliness orsterility of the conveyor system. Further, sealing off the leveling nut704 and the leveling pad 712 could make it easier to clean the levelingassembly 700 by eliminating places where contaminants could gather or betrapped.

Referring to FIG. 33, the leveling pad 712 also may define one or moreblowout or clean out holes 702 for a cleaning fluid to be passed throughthe leveling pad 712 to clean out any debris or contamination that mayhave gotten into the pad 712, e.g., into the indentation 716 where theleveling ball end 706 b of the leveling screw 706 is received. Moreparticularly, as shown in FIG. 33, the clean out hole(s) 702 may bedefined such that at least one hole 702 penetrates the leveling padsurface defining the indentation 716 and the cleaning fluid can reachthe indentation 716 to clean the indented area of the pad 712. The cleanout hole(s) 702 may be plugged with a removable plug (not shown) whenthe leveling pad 712 is not being cleaned, i.e., the plug is removed toclean the leveling pad 712.

Keeping with FIG. 33, the leveling pad 712 also defines an aperture 722for receipt of the fastener 714, such as a bolt or the like, that passesthrough the leveling pad 712 and into the support structure 10 to secureor fasten the leveling assembly 700 to the support structure 10. Forexample, the leveling pad 712 defines at least one threaded aperture 722for receipt of a bolt 714 for bolting the leveling assembly 700, andthereby the conveyor system 100 that is attached to the levelingassembly 700 as previously described, to a floor 10. Additionally, theleveling screw 706 includes an adjustment portion 726, where a tool suchas a wrench or the like may be used to turn the screw 706 and therebyadjust the conveyor. The adjustment portion 726 of the leveling screw706 may be unthreaded, i.e., generally smooth, and may be cylindricallike the screw 706 or may be shaped to complement the tool used to turnthe screw, e.g., the adjustment portion 726 may have a generally squareor hexagonal cross-sectional shape to complement a wrench used to turnthe screw 706. As shown in FIG. 33, the adjustment portion 726 may bedefined near the second end 706 b of the leveling screw 706, e.g.,immediately above the leveling ball end 706 b of the screw 706.Moreover, in some embodiments, a layer of a material such as urethane orthe like may be included on a bottom surface 712 b of the leveling pad712 or positioned between the bottom surface 712 b and the supportstructure 10. The layer of material may further help absorbimperfections, e.g., in the support structure 10, that would otherwisecontribute to the conveyor system 100 being unlevel. Further, the layerof material may help protect the support structure 10, e.g., fromscuffs, scrapes, nicks, dents, etc.

Turning now to FIGS. 39 through 42, a conveyor top protection assembly800 is illustrated according to an exemplary embodiment of the presentsubject matter. The conveyor top protection assembly 800 comprises oneor more hanger structures 802 for hanging one or more panels 804thereon. Each hanger structure 802 includes a hook 806 on which thepanel 804 is received and at least one support 808. In the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 39, each hanger structure 802 includes a verticalsupport 808V and a horizontal support 808H arranged in a cross shape.However, as shown in FIG. 40, the hanger structure 802 may have adifferent configuration, e.g., a vertical support 808V and a horizontalsupport 808H arranged in a cross shape and two angled supports 808A,where one angled support 808A extends from one end of the horizontalsupport 808H to the top end of the vertical support 808V and the otherangled support 808A extends from the other or opposite end of thehorizontal support 808H to the top end of the vertical support 808V. Theangled supports 808A may help the horizontal and vertical supports 808H,808V bear the load of particularly large or heavy panels 804 or multiplepanels 804; without the angled supports 808A, the horizontal support808H and/or vertical support 808V may deflect, bend, or fail under theload of the panel(s) 804. Alternatively, the horizontal and verticalsupports 808H, 808V may be sized to bear the load of the panel(s) 804without angled supports 808A, e.g., to eliminate material required tofabricate the angled supports 808A, to simplify manufacture of thehanger structure 802, etc.

Referring to FIG. 41, in yet other embodiments, the hanger structure 802may have other suitable configurations. As shown in FIG. 41, the hangerstructure 802 may comprise one or more hooks or pegs 810 that protrudefrom the vertical support 808. In the illustrated embodiment, eachhanger structure 802 comprises at least four hooks or pegs 810, whichare vertically spaced apart from one another along the vertical support808. The hooks or pegs 810 may be configured as buttons or like, asshown in FIG. 41, or the hooks or pegs 810 may have any other suitableconfiguration. Further, in addition to and/or as an alternative tohanging one or more panels 804 on the hanger structure 802 as describedwith respect to FIG. 39, one or more wear track profiles 250 may be hungon the hanger structure 802 as shown in FIG. 41, e.g., to facilitatecleaning of the conveyor system 100.

As depicted in FIGS. 42 and 43, the panels 804 may be removed from thehooks 806 and disposed on the top portion of the conveyor system 100,e.g., between two generally parallel lengths of conveyor track sections200. More particularly, two generally parallel lengths of conveyor tracksections 200 may be spaced apart laterally. The panels 804 may bedisposed in the space between the lengths of conveyor track sections200, for example, to prevent items conveyed on the mechanical chain 110from falling into the space, to prevent debris or waste from processesoccurring or carried out at the conveyor from falling into the space, toprevent a user or operator from accessing the space by reaching over thechain 110, etc. Thus, the panels 804 may improve the performance ofoperations carried out by, on, or at the conveyor system 100, help keepthe conveyor system 100 clean (at least below the panels 804), andimprove the safety of the conveyor system 100. The panels 804 mayprovide other advantages as well. Further, the panels 804 also mayprovide similar advantages when the panels 804 are hanging from thehooks 806. For instance, when hanging from the hooks 806 of the hangerstructure 802, the panels 804 help block things from passing laterallyfrom one side of the conveyor system 100 to the other above the conveyortrack sections 200.

As shown in FIGS. 44 through 47, the conveyor system 100 may includeother safety features and cleanliness features as well, according toexemplary embodiments of the present subject matter. For example,referring to FIGS. 44 and 45, the conveyor system 100 may include ablocking bar 850 that blocks lower sections 200 of the conveyor trackassembly 299. It will be appreciated that the conveyor track assembly299 may comprise a plurality of conveyor track sections 200 or may be asingle conveyor track section 200. As shown in FIG. 44, the blocking bar850 rotates into position under the mechanical chain 110, e.g., toprevent a user or an item from reaching the end section 200 of theconveyor track. Referring to FIG. 45, the blocking bar 850 rotates awayfrom the conveyor track, e.g., to permit cleaning of the conveyor track,to permit removal of the chain 110, wear track profiles 250, and/orother components of the conveyor track assembly, etc. The blocking bar850 may be configured similarly to the support member 602 of the panelmount assembly 600, including the pivot holder 622, without first arm602 a and support rest 620. As such, the blocking bar 850 may have anarm retained in a pivot holder that defines a tapered surface to permitthe blocking bar 850 to pivot or rotate and one or more grooves thathelp hold the blocking bar 850 in position once rotated to a desiredlocation. Further, in some embodiments, multiple blocking bars 850 maybe provided along a length of a conveyor track assembly 299, e.g., tosupport the wear track profile 250 before it is secured to the baseplate 210.

FIGS. 46 and 47 depict a cap 860 that is mounted at an end of theconveyor track assembly, e.g., to prevent items from being caught in thesprocket and/or chain adjustment assembly 500, according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present subject matter. As shown in the figures, thecap 860 is shaped to cover the end section 200 of the conveyor trackassembly, as well as the space from the end of the conveyor trackassembly to the sprocket 144, without impeding the motion of the chain110 and/or items conveyed by the chain 110. Moreover, the cap 860 isshaped such that it does not protrude laterally away from the conveyorsystem 100, thereby avoiding a potentially dangerous configuration inwhich a protruding cap could cause a user of the conveyor to trip or tofall into the conveyor or items being conveyed by the conveyor. The cap860 thereby blocks items from falling or being pulled into the spacebetween the end of the conveyor track assembly and the sprocket 144, aswell as from being caught in the sprocket 144. Further, the cap impedescontamination, such as dirt, debris, or the like, from entering thechain adjustment assembly 500 and/or other portions of the conveyorsystem 100 covered by the cap 860. It will be appreciated that, in otherembodiments, a cap 860 may be included adjacent each side of the chain110 and/or on the lower section 200 of the conveyor track assembly.Moreover, one or more caps 860 may be used at the drive end 102 of theconveyor system 100 (e.g., near the drive sprocket 140) in addition toor without one or more caps 860 at the return end 104 (e.g., at theidler sprocket 144 as shown).

Turning to FIGS. 48 through 50, other safety features may be used aswell. Referring particularly to FIG. 48, a shield 862 and a guard 864may be positioned at and/or over one or both of the drive end 102 andthe return end 104, thereby shielding the sprocket assembly 140 and/orthe idler assembly 142 from contact by a user, a user's clothing, orother objects. That is, the shield 862 and the guard 864 help preventaccidents that otherwise could be caused by a user getting an appendageor his or her clothing caught in the mechanical chain 110, sprocketassembly 140, and/or idler assembly 142. More particularly, the shield862 may be positioned over or adjacent any parts or components of theconveyor system 100 that may be moving and/or that may protrude from oneor both ends 102, 104 of the assembly 100, e.g., that may protrudegenerally horizontally outward from the conveyor 100. For instance, theshield 862 may be supported by and/or attached to a stationary componentof the conveyor system 100, e.g., a stationary component of therespective end 102, 104 and/or the respective rotational assembly, i.e.,sprocket assembly 140 or idler assembly 142. The shield 862 may bepositioned over the moving and/or protruding parts or components to helpprevent a user from intentionally or inadvertently accessing such partsor components.

In the depicted exemplary embodiment, the shield 862 comprises a planarsurface 866 facing a user side 150 of the conveyor system 100, e.g.,where a user typically would stand when using the conveyor 100. Becausethe planar surface 866 does not have sharp corners or edges, having theplanar surface 866 face the user side 150 may help prevent the user fromsnagging his or her clothing on the end 102, 104 of the conveyor system100, from catching his or her knee and/or hand on the end 102, 104 ofthe conveyor system 100, etc. Moreover, an end 868 of the shield 862,which is farthest from a center or midsection of the conveyor system100, is rounded or curved. The rounded or curved shape generally mimicsthe shape of the mechanical chain 110 at the ends 102, 104 (as the chainreturns down the conveyor, where the links 112 transition from facing upto facing down, or is fed to the working surface, where the links 112transition from facing down to facing up). Additionally, the rounded orcurved shape of the shield 862 at its end 868 is smooth, i.e., withoutsharp corners or edges. Thus, similar to the planar surface 866, therounded or curved shape of the end 868 may help prevent a user fromsnagging clothing and/or catching a body part on the shield 862.

Further, the shield 862 is stationary, unlike the mechanical chain 110,which moves linearly, and the sprocket assembly 140 or idler assembly142, which rotate. As such, the shield 862 helps prevent contact betweenthe user, the user's clothing, and the like and the moving parts of theconveyor system 100. In addition, the shield 862 may include two pieces,a first shield 862 a that is positioned on the outer, user side 150 ofthe conveyor system 100 and a second shield 862 b that is positioned onan inner side 152 of the conveyor system 100, which is opposite the userside 150. In some embodiments, the first and second shields 862 a, 862 bmay be made as separate pieces that are separately supported by and/orattached to an appropriate feature of the conveyor system 100. In otherembodiments, the first and second shields 862 a, 862 b may be twosegments or portions of a single component, i.e., the first and secondshields 862 a, 862 b may not be separate components but may beintegrally formed as a single component. In either embodiment, the firstand second shields 862 a, 862 b may be substantially identical, e.g., tohelp ensure both sides 150, 152 are shielded from an object being caughtin the moving parts of the conveyor system 100. Thus, as describedherein, the shield 862 (which may comprise both the first and secondshields 862 a, 862 b) may help prevent pinching, crushing, falling,and/or other accidents that could happen if a user, a user's clothing,or other object was caught by or between moving part(s) of the conveyorsystem 100.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 48 through 50, the conveyor system 100may include a guard 864, e.g., to enhance the safety of the conveyor100. In the depicted embodiment, the guard 864 extends vertically aboveand below the shield 862 and extends axially beyond the ends of theshield 862. Further, the guard 864 is positioned between the shield 862and the mechanical chain 110. Like the shield 862, the guard 864 is astationary component of the conveyor system 100 and is attached to astationary component of the conveyor system 100.

Moreover, as illustrated in FIGS. 49 and 50, the guard 864 may comprisea first guard 864 a and a second guard 864 b, which may be formed as twoseparate pieces or as parts of a single, integral component as describedwith respect to the first and second shields 862 a, 862 b. The first andsecond guards 864 a, 864 b project or extend above the exposed surfaceof the mechanical chain 110, with a relatively narrow gap 870 definedbetween the guards 864 a, 864 b. The mechanical chain 110 is disposedbetween the first guard 864 a and the second guard 864 b such that thefirst guard 864 a is positioned on a first, user side 150 of themechanical chain and the second guard 864 b is positioned on a secondside 152 of the mechanical chain, which is opposite the user side 150and is an inner side of the conveyor system 100. Because the opening orentrance to the gap 870 is raised above the mechanical chain 110, andthe gap 870 is relatively narrow, it may be hard for a user to have anappendage, clothing, or the like caught in the moving mechanical chain110. Thus, the guard 864, which may comprise the first and second guards864 a, 864 b, may help enhance the safety of the conveyor system 100 byreducing opportunities for a user, a user's clothing, or other object tobecome caught in, snagged by, etc. the mechanical chain 110. Also, asdepicted in the exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 48-50, each of the firstand second guards 864 a, 864 b extends beyond the end 102 or 104 of theconveyor system 100, which may also reduce opportunities for injury dueto ensnarement in the sprocket assembly 140 or idler assembly 142.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 49 and 50, the guard 864 may be sized suchthat it does not interfere with the operation of the conveyor system100. More particularly, an attachment 114 may be used with one or morelinks 112 of the mechanical chain 110, e.g., to raise a product conveyedby the mechanical chain 110 off the surface of the chain 110. Theattachment 114 may be inserted into a link 112 designed to receive theattachment (e.g., as shown in FIG. 43) or may be formed with a link 112.For instance, the attachment 114 may include a cone-shaped portion 116for receipt of a poultry carcass or a portion thereof. The guard 864, oreach of the first guard 864 a and second guard 864 b, may have a heighth_(guard) at its highest or tallest point above the wear track profile250 that does not impede the movement of the attachment 114, which mayinclude when an object such as a poultry carcass (or portion thereof) isreceived on the attachment 114. Moreover, the guard 864 (or each of thefirst guard 864 a and second guard 864 b) may include a proximal end 872and a distal end 874, where the proximal end 872 is closer to a centeror midsection of the conveyor system 100 and the distal end 874 isopposite the proximal end 872 and is near or adjacent the end 868 of theshield 862. As illustrated in FIGS. 48 and 49, the guard 864 (or each ofthe first guard 864 a and second guard 864 b) may be angled from theproximal end 872 toward the distal end 874, e.g., the guard 864 may rampup in height from a minimum height h_(guard) at the proximal end 872 toa maximum height h_(guard) between the proximal end 872 and the distalend 874. The angled or ramped configuration of the guard 864 (or each ofthe first guard 864 a and second guard 864 b) may help enhance thesafety of the conveyor system 100, e.g., by eliminating an abruptintroduction of the guard 864 and a sharp corner where a user couldcatch a body part or clothing on the guard 864. Further, the distal end874 of the guard 864 may be a generally smooth rounded or curvedportion, like the shield 862, e.g., to eliminate a sharp corner or edgethat could pose a hazard to a user.

As depicted in FIGS. 48 through 50, each of the shield 862 and guard 864may be secured in place using one or more locking pins 876. For example,an aperture in the guard 864 may receive the pin body of a locking pin876 and the pin body may also extend into a support to hold the guard864 in place. Each locking pin 876 may include a ring 878, which, forexample, may facilitate removal of the locking pin 876 such that theshield 862 and/or guard 864 may be removed for cleaning of the conveyorsystem 100. In other embodiments, instead of locking pins 876 to holdthe guard 864 in place, the guard 864 may be received in a groovedefined, e.g., in the shield 862. Other mechanisms or methods forsecuring the shield 862 and guard 864 in their respective positions withrespect to one another and/or the conveyor system 100 may be used aswell.

It will be appreciated that the shield 862 and guard 864 together mayform a cover assembly 880. That is, the shield 862 and guard 864 may beinstalled together on the conveyor system 100 as an assembly 880, e.g.,to enhance the safety of the conveyor system 100, to protect therespective end 102, 104 of the system 100 from contaminants, etc.Further, the cap 860 also may be part of the cover assembly 880. In someembodiments, each of the cap 860, shield 862, and guard 864 may be usedto cover portions of one or both ends 102, 104 of the conveyor system100. In other embodiments, two of the cap 860, shield 862, and guard 864may be used to cover portions of one or both ends 102, 104 of theconveyor system 100, and in still other embodiments, only one of the cap860, shield 862, and guard 864 may be used to cover portions of one orboth ends 102, 104 of the conveyor system 100. In yet other embodiments,each of the cap 860, shield 862, and guard 864 may be omitted such thatone or both ends 102, 104 of the conveyor system 100 are uncovered.

This written description uses examples to disclose the invention,including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in theart to practice the invention, including making and using any devices orsystems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope ofthe invention is defined by the claims and may include other examplesthat occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intendedto be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elementsthat do not differ from the literal language of the claims or if theyinclude equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differencesfrom the literal language of the claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A conveyor system, comprising: a mechanicalchain; a drive end, a sprocket assembly positioned at the drive end fordriving the mechanical chain; a return end, an idler assembly positionedat the return end; a guard positioned adjacent at least one of the driveend and the return end, the guard including a first guard and a secondguard, the first guard and the second guard defining a gap therebetween;and a locking pin extending through the guard and into a support, thelocking pin securing the guard in place, wherein the mechanical chain isdisposed between the first guard and the second guard such that thefirst guard is positioned on a first side of the mechanical chain andthe second guard is positioned on a second side of the mechanical chain.2. The conveyor system of claim 1, wherein the guard comprises aproximal end and a distal end, and wherein the guard ramps up in heightfrom a minimum height h_(guard) at the proximal end to a maximum heighth_(guard) between the proximal end and the distal end.
 3. The conveyorsystem of claim 1, wherein the guard comprises a proximal end and adistal end, and wherein the distal end is rounded.
 4. The conveyorsystem of claim 3, wherein the distal end is disposed farther from acenter of the conveyor system than the proximal end.
 5. The conveyorsystem of claim 1, wherein the first guard and the second guard eachextend a height h_(guard) above the mechanical chain.
 6. The conveyorsystem of claim 1, further comprising: a shield positioned outward fromthe guard such that the guard is disposed between the shield and themechanical chain, wherein the shield is positioned over at least one ofthe sprocket assembly and the idler assembly such that the at least oneof the sprocket assembly and the idler assembly is not accessible by auser.
 7. The conveyor system of claim 6, wherein the shield is attachedto a stationary component of the conveyor system.
 8. The conveyor systemof claim 6, wherein the shield comprises a planar surface facing a userside of the conveyor system.
 9. The conveyor system of claim 6, whereinan end of the shield farthest from a center of the conveyor system isrounded.
 10. The conveyor system of claim 1, further comprising: a capmounted at an end section of a conveyor track assembly of the conveyorsystem, the end section defining an end of the conveyor track assembly,wherein the cap is configured to cover the end section and a spacebetween the end of the conveyor track assembly and the sprocketassembly.
 11. A conveyor system, comprising: at least one mechanicalchain having a plurality of links, the at least one mechanical chainconfigured for conveying items thereon; an upper profile for receipt ofa portion of the at least one mechanical chain; a lower profile forreceipt of another portion of the at least one mechanical chain; asupport structure for supporting the at least one chain, the upperprofile, and the lower profile; a drive end, a sprocket assemblypositioned at the drive end for driving the mechanical chain; a guardpositioned adjacent the drive end, the guard including a first guard anda second guard, the first guard and the second guard defining a gaptherebetween; a shield positioned over the sprocket assembly, the shieldincluding a first shield and a second shield; and a chain adjustmentassembly including a ram that translates horizontally in and out of ahousing, wherein the first guard is disposed between the mechanicalchain and the first shield and the second guard is disposed between themechanical chain and the second shield, and wherein the mechanical chainis disposed between the first guard and the second guard such that thefirst guard is positioned on a first side of the mechanical chain andthe second guard is positioned on a second side of the mechanical chain.12. The conveyor system of claim 11, further comprising: a blocking barconfigured to be positioned under a lower conveyor track assembly, thelower conveyor track assembly supporting the lower profile.
 13. Theconveyor system of claim 11, further comprising: a panel mount assemblyincluding a support member, an attachment block, and a panel attached tothe support member using the attachment block, wherein the panel mountassembly is configured to block an area below the upper profile on thefirst side of the mechanical chain, and wherein the first side is a userside of the conveyor system.
 14. The conveyor system of claim 11,further comprising: a leveling assembly for leveling the mechanicalchain, the leveling assembly including a leveling nut, a leveling screw,a sealing nut, a jam nut, a leveling pad, and a fastener.
 15. Theconveyor system of claim 11, further comprising: a conveyor topprotection assembly including one or more hanger structures for hangingone or more panels thereon, wherein each panel is configured to bedisposed in a space between lengths of conveyor track sections.
 16. Aconveyor system, comprising: a mechanical chain; a drive end, a sprocketassembly positioned at the drive end for driving the mechanical chain; areturn end, an idler assembly positioned at the return end; a guardpositioned adjacent at least one of the drive end and the return end,the guard including a first guard and a second guard, the first guardand the second guard defining a gap therebetween; and a panel mountassembly including a support member, an attachment block, and a panelattached to the support member using the attachment block, wherein themechanical chain is disposed between the first guard and the secondguard such that the first guard is positioned on a first side of themechanical chain and the second guard is positioned on a second side ofthe mechanical chain, wherein the panel mount assembly is configured toblock an area below the upper profile on the first side of themechanical chain, and wherein the first side is a user side of theconveyor system.
 17. The conveyor system of claim 16, furthercomprising: a first shield positioned outward from the guard such thatthe guard is disposed between the first shield and the mechanical chain,wherein the first shield is positioned over at least one of the sprocketassembly and the idler assembly such that the at least one of thesprocket assembly and the idler assembly is not accessible by a user.18. The conveyor system of claim 17, further comprising: a secondshield, wherein the first shield is positioned on a user side of theconveyor system, and wherein the second shield is positioned on an innerside of the conveyor system, the inner side opposite the user side. 19.The conveyor system of claim 16, further comprising: a chain adjustmentassembly including a ram that translates horizontally in and out of ahousing.
 20. The conveyor system of claim 16, a conveyor top protectionassembly including one or more hanger structures for hanging one or morepanels thereon, wherein each panel is configured to be disposed in aspace between lengths of conveyor track sections.